LATE RESULTS AFTER RESECTION OF BENIGN HEPATIC-TUMORS - CLINICAL AND RADIOLOGICAL FINDINGS

The purpose of our work was to provide data on the recurrence of resec ted benign hepatic lesions and to evaluate the value of follow-up exam inations in this group of patients. From August to October 1993, 75 pa tients who had been admitted for liver surgery for benign tumors betwe en 1975 and 1993 were controlled by physical examinations, serological tests, US, and, in the case of equivocal US findings, by CT. The hist ological diagnoses of the operative specimen included hydatidosis in 4 3 patients, focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) in 12 patients, liver cell adenoma in 8 patients, cavernous hemangioma in 8 patients, and congen ital cyst in 4 patients. Hepatic scars were observed in 36 of the 75 p atients. Four cases of intrahepatic recurrence and 1 case of intraperi toneal spread were observed in the 42 patients with recent hydatosis. Long-term postoperative controls (specific serological tests, US) are necessary in the management of patients with hydatid disease. Follow-u p examinations are not indicated in asymptomatic patients who have bee n operated on for FNH, hemangioma or congenital cysts.